Talks resurface for new Thomasville Police building

Monday

Feb 11, 2013 at 5:36 PM

Thomasville officials agree it's time for a new police headquarters.

BY NASH DUNNThe Dispatch

THOMASVILLE | Thomasville officials agree it's time for a new police headquarters. It's still unclear when that need will become a reality.Thomasville City Councilman and retired police chief Ronald Bratton reintroduced the idea of relocating the police department at the council's annual retreat earlier this month. The city has discussed moving the department for multiple years. The building, located at 7 W. Guilford St., was used as a multi-faceted governmental center in the past, housing the fire and police departments as well as City Hall.The structure, built in 1937, was never designed to house a police department, Bratton said, adding that the building's main issues are a lack of records space and the appropriate amenities such as bathrooms, lockers and showers.“We know we can't do this change this year or next year, but the process needs to start,” Bratton said. “We have to make some effort and some plans to move forward with this.”Thomasville City Manager Kelly Craver said the city will reduce its outstanding debt in coming years, making it easier to issue new debt to say the least. The city will have two sets of bonds for sewer improvements paid off in three to four years. In addition, the city will finish its debt payments on the Winding Creek Golf Course in June, Craver said.While there is no distinct timetable at this point, city officials are continuing to look at possible locations throughout the city. At some point, council must decide whether to refurbish an existing structure or build anew.There has been some discussion in recent years about moving the parks and recreation department staff from Central Parks and Recreation Center, located on East Main Street, to Memorial Park, which the city would expand and refurbish. The would open up space at Central for the police department, according to Thomasville records.Thomasville Police Chief Jeff Insley said no matter what happens, he hopes to stay in a centralized location.Insley, who took over as chief after Bratton retired in 2009, said the department does have some drug forfeiture money that could be used to assist the cost of a new building. Like Bratton, he said he believes that the department has worked to make the headquarters as functional as possible.“The overall functionality would definitely improve with a new department,” Insley said.A recent Space Needs Assessment recommends the new facility to be roughly 23,000 square feet. Insley said he sees the need the most with storing records, which are housed on all three floors of the building.At the headquarters, there is a chief's office, a staff meeting room, one other office and a space for records. There is also a board room, which is used for city council meetings. The police department also has three district offices due to a lack of space at the headquarters, and it also utilizes one other off-site facility, Insley said.

Nash Dunn can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at nash.dunn@the-dispatch.com.